My old friend, the Soviet Tank Log

A common feature on Soviet tanks is the log. Excerpt from Inside the Chieftain's Hatch: IS-3M, Pt 1.

[thralldumehammer]

It's log, it's log, it's big, it's heavy, it's wood. It's log, it's log, better than bad it's good, everyone wants a log. From Blammo!

[benoitcampredon]

The pinnacle of human technology : the big stick

[patcoldstream]

Did you know, that the T34 was actually designed around the log? The Russians had the log first and decided it needed a tank, so they designed one.

[halkyuusen]

While operating in difficult terrain your machine may become stuck. In this case you should log out and log back in. For this we have provided you a log.

[teddy]

Never leave home without your tacti-log

[GeneralJackRipper]

Just saw a video from Ukraine of a Chally 2 sunk in a mud hole, and as they feverishly worked to get the thing out I thought to myself, _"Should have brought a log with you."_

[cameronturner]

I've been stuck so badly that I pulled 3 logs down into the mud, broke the chains and had to leave the logs, chains and the dozer in place until it dried out, which took several months.

[AnubisKZ]

Very few people know it. But the log actually is an emergency ammo vs extremely heavily armored enemy vehicles like maus.

[woodenturnip]

Why isn’t the log a playable vehicle yet?? I can roll, and I love it.

[proteous]

It’s also more comfortable for infantry to sit on logs

[ditzydoo]

When a Log is more than a Log, but a true friend when the way is barred, or muddy. ^~^

[ycplum]

On maneuvers with a M901 ITV in the dark, my track was turtled on a giant boulder/rock outcrop. Basically, only one track had contact with theground and there wasn't enough traction to reverse out. Moving forward was a 20' cliff. I told the Lt that I could use the tow cables, string them across the two tracks, and see if they would catch on the rock outcrop to push me backwards, but the Lt thought it would be more prudent to call for a M88.

[ODST_Parker]

A beautiful tool, far older than the tank itself. Nature in its purest form, harnessed by man. Shaped and redefined throughout countless years until it arrived at its final, matured design. Unchanged for a century, because it is the perfect unditching device. THE LOG.

[Gdudek]

US Army: Purpose built or Specialized machines to recover stuck tanks

USSR: LOG

[Reactordrone]

WW1 tank-unditching beam. Soviets, "That seems unnecessarily squared off."

[Fixxate]

Basically, it's maxtrack 1942 edition

[osmacar]

The log, something ALL tanks need it.

[wazzaracer]

logs can even build a cabin out of them.

[remcovanvliet]

And when they get bored on their down time, the soldiers take turns flogging it, to keep in shape. Truly a remarkably versatile piece of equipement, on the bleeding edge of Soviet weapons technology.

[bishopthecat]

That looks like a solution Jeremy Clarkson would come up with.